Rear-view side mirror for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a rear-view mirror for vehicles, which consists of compatible, combinable and exchangeable modules such as: (A) and (B), or integrated (A+B), functional, signal, lighting and sensor modules, and structural (C), (D) and (E) modules; cover-housing, body-housing and support which may include functional modules. (A), (B) and (A+B) fulfill their function even if the rear-view mirror is folded. They use a multifocal light source of LED's inserted into a flexible and orientable circuit and/or a mixed rigid-flexible circuit-combining LED's+bulbs and other lighting elements, with variable optical and reflective means enabling more than one signal from one same transparent surface with direct light output, indirect-reflected light output and/or through intermediate optical light guides depending on the directions required in the front, the side, the back and the lateral ground for different commands, applications and safety signals.

1. A rear-view side mirror for a vehicle comprising:
 a mirror housing attached to an outer surface of a vehicle, said mirror housing having a first opening; 
 a mirror located in said first opening; 
 a light emitter assembly located in said mirror housing including a light source that provides at least a turn signal light in at least one of three directions, outputting to the front side or rear of said vehicle through a second opening in said mirror, said rear output taking place through a side end area led away from said outer surface of the vehicle, said side end area ending a distance from an edge of said first opening, said side end area providing a passage for said signal that is not visible to a driver; and 
 one or more structures that direct at least a part of the light from said light source to an output, the light exiting said output being visible by the driver as a function control light of said light source; 
 wherein said output is located in an area of shadow for the driver. 
 
   
   
     2. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said second opening forms a zone remote from the driver, said zone including optical means to orient the output of the light to the rear of the vehicle in a direction not visible by the driver. 
   
   
     3. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more structures comprise a partition wall located at the end of the housing. 
   
   
     4. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 3 , wherein said partition wall has an opening providing said output. 
   
   
     5. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 3 , wherein said partition wall divides the output of the light into two zones, one visible by the driver, the other not visible by the driver. 
   
   
     6. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more structures comprise at least one light guiding element. 
   
   
     7. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more structures comprise at least one reflector. 
   
   
     8. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more structures comprise at least one light deflector. 
   
   
     9. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said output is bounded by a window. 
   
   
     10. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 9 , wherein said output is located in front of the mirror. 
   
   
     11. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said output is located adjacent an area of output of the light from said light source to the rear of the vehicle. 
   
   
     12. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 6 , wherein a light guiding element provides at least in part said turn signal light. 
   
   
     13. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 12 , wherein said light guiding element conveys the signal light at least to the rear part of the vehicle. 
   
   
     14. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 2 , wherein said optical means are selected from the group consisting of prisms, lenses and smooth or irregular surfaces, to provide dispersion of the light from said light source through any of said three outputting directions. 
   
   
     15. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 14 , wherein said optical means provides a reorientation of the light towards the rear part of the vehicle. 
   
   
     16. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 12  or  14 , wherein a LED light is placed near said output. 
   
   
     17. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the light emitter assembly includes a transparent or translucent covering located at least over the second opening. 
   
   
     18. The rear-view side mirror for a vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein the transparent or translucent covering is also located over said output. 
   
   
     19. The rear-view side mirror of  claim 18 , wherein a first portion of the turn signal light is emitted through a transparent or translucent covering. 
   
   
     20. The rear-view side mirror of  claim 18 , wherein a first portion of the turn signal light is emitted through a first portion of the transparent or translucent covering and a second portion of the turn signal light is emitted through a second portion of the transparent or translucent covering. 
   
   
     21. The rear-view side mirror of  claim 1 , wherein said second opening is located in an area between upper and lower horizontal tangents delimiting superior and inferior parts of said first opening at a back part of said mirror. 
   
   
     22. A rear-view side mirror for a vehicle comprising:
 a mirror housing; 
 a mirror attached within the mirror housing and visible through an opening in the mirror housing; 
 a light emitter assembly located in the mirror housing and including a light source for emitting a turn signal light; 
 the light emitter assembly being configured to direct a first portion of the turn signal light in a first direction to the rear through a side end area led away from said outer surface of the vehicle, said side end area ending at a distance from an edge of said opening, said side end area providing a passage for said signal that is not visible to a driver, and said light emitter assembly directing a second portion of the turn signal light in a second direction that is visible by the driver in an area of shadow for the driver. 
 
   
   
     23. The rear-view side mirror of  claim 22 , wherein the second portion of the turn signal light is emitted through a second opening in the housing. 
   
   
     24. A rear-view side mirror for a vehicle comprising:
 a mirror housing attached to an outer surface of a vehicle; 
 a mirror located within said mirror housing and visible through an opening of said mirror housing; 
 a light emitter assembly located in the mirror housing and including a light source for emitting a turn signal light, the turn signal light being emitted simultaneously to the front, side and rear; 
 the light emitter assembly being configured to direct a first portion of the turn signal light in a first direction to the rear through a side end area led away from said outer surface of the vehicle, said side end area ending at a distance from an edge of said opening, said side end area providing a passage for said signal that is not visible to a driver, and said light emitter assembly directing a second portion of the turn signal light in a second direction that is visible by the driver in an area of shadow for the driver. 
 
   
   
     25. The rear-view side mirror of  claim 24 , wherein said first portion of the turn signal light provides a signal oriented to the rear by a projection (K 1 ).